The last time I blogged was 2 weeks after I started my job. 7 months later and I am now on leave recharging. Actually I am pretty much at the end of my leave and definitely recharged. So what has happened since last year August? This is probably boring for you to read but my blog used to be my dairy so I can look back one day and remember when. When I was a SAHM many moons ago I blogged daily but I am now a working woman! One that actually works AND earns a salary.
Well firstly who expected us to still be living with COVID? We are definitely fortunate in our country in that we can eat out and exercise and see friends and go to the shops. The beach ban in December and January was a huge bummer and I personally think they should have closed on the 24-26 & 31st December and 1st & 2nd of January. We had to cancel our Plett holiday but we were fortunate our hosts gave us a full refund. I look at my sister & brother & bestie in the UK and really feel for them. Crazy strict laws with many making no sense. Holland as well and my poor girl.
So on December 22nd I tested positive for the dreaded 'rona. Rebeka went to a party on the day she finished exams and caught it from one of the guys. She then handed it over to me and I handed it to Sofia. Gary was either negative or asymptomatic which was a massive blessing as I was worried about him being an ex smoker who often gets upper respiratory infections. We were lucky we did not get very ill. I had the fever, headache, fatigue and extreme light sensitivity but I kept my taste and smell. And nothing in my chest. I have taken zinc, D & C since March and being fairly fit and healthy all potentially helped.
So some biggies since I last wrote:
We sold our house we have been living in for 18 years. This is a big relief as we are considering a move to Holland for several years as our girls plan on attending uni there. Our Dutch passports means we are fortunate to have a soft landing and the fees are very affordable. It was a great opportunity to sell stuff, give stuff away and chuck stuff. We knew the new home would be way smaller. I see half my wardrobe worn by the people at the shelter every day. Sometimes I wanna say 'hey, those are PJs not a tracksuit!'
I have days when I think no ways can I leave this country, the summers and beauty and my friends. But oh I miss my daughter. And having all my kids out the nest and far away? No I am not ready for that just yet.
So some sad news...Paulie my beautiful rottie got cancer and passed away just before his 5th birthday. Gary remains devastated and still questions if we did the right thing. Paulie would cry at night and I would find Gary in the morning sleeping on the cold tiles to keep him company. He wasn't walking properly and couldn't crouch to poo. My baby. I had to make the decision and Sofia and I stayed with him when he crossed the rainbow bridge. My views are too clouded by the trauma of losing my father to cancer and being unable to help him pass. So I don't know if I should have done another MRI or more physio but I couldn't deal with the suffering.
Rebeka had her matric dance despite COVID and she looks exquisite in a black satin ballgown. There was no handsome date and an it was an all girls dance but it was perfect and they all looked so very young and lovely.
The infamous matrics of 2020 wrote their exams. The Rhenish teachers have been phenomenal in their support of their girls. Rebeka studied insanely hard for prelims and almost burnt out for the main exams.
Then just when we thought we were done we were told they had to rewrite physics and one of the main maths papers. She fell apart and all the kids were just done. She had given 100% and had nothing left to give. Fortunately the matter went legal and the court ruled in the favour of the scholars and the rewrites were cancelled. But it was shit as we still went through that stress and she never had her last day as she didn't know it was the real last day. I am so sentimental I would have given her flowers and taken her to lunch. She would have left her shoes as per tradition and walked out in her socks. Anyway, it was done.
A few months later and she got her results and all that hard work has paid off. 6 distinctions, 1 78% for Afrikaans and a 85% aggregate. I got 2Bs, 2Cs and 2Ds in matric. Gary was in the E & F range. Oh well, nature and nurture and all that!
Christmas was a little crappy as I felt so ill and had to cook this big lunch. Daniel's housemate helped thank goodness but my mom couldn't come due to the 'rona. New years eve was just as blah and Gary, Sofia, the dogs and myself lay on my bed chilling till 12:00 and went to bed. NYE is an anti-climax anyway.
We moved house the end of January. Geez it's exhausting and never ending. We packed every weekend for 6 weeks and it was still this crazy rush at the end with the last stuff just chucked in boxes. The moving company were great, found and chosen by myself of course! We stay in this very fancy estate in the vineyards on the way to Stellenbosch. Fortunately we are renting as the houses are crazy expensive here. It's way smaller and has no pool but it's perfect for us and we have a view from every single window. We are right at the end of the estate close to this big lake and the vineyards. For an outdoor junkie like myself it is pure heaven. Gary bought me this super cool kayak I have called Eddie and we adopted another one at the lake called Stanley. There is also a SUP called Helga that no one seems to own. Sofes and I try and row every day. They say no swimming but do they really mean that? Surely not. We swim along the bank and the white clay squelches between our toes. I love the feeling. The dogs go for long walks every evening on the golf course on perfect green grass. For us Cape Town folk who suffered through that drought, green grass will never be taken for granted!
Daniel and the boys finally moved out of Paarl! They have a new boethouse and it's so fun. Fussball, a pool table, ping pong, really cool braai area, dart board and all the toys. They also moved offices and have created this funky space google style. Everyone in the company is 25 and younger and Specno is flying. They work hard and they play hard.
Rebeka moved to Holland! This has been huge for our family. Moving abroad during covid is very tough, especially to a country that is so very strict. She was due to fly the 15th and we had her last evening and day all planned. We were super relieved her covid test was negative and her forex was due the next day. On the 14th at 4:00pm we were still in the pool when we heard her flight was cancelled. And the rules with KLM were changing. What to do? Rush and throw everything in her bag and race to the airport or try and fly out later in the week. Helena was on the same flight so in the same predicament. Both girls crying and panicking we packed her bag and headed to the airport. No time to stop for dinner and all the airport restaurants and take outs were closed. Gary and Helena's dad stood in the one queue to change flights and the moms in the other. And it was done. Booked. Bags through although repacked as 1.7kg over. Lots of hugs and tears and off they went. Just like that.
It's been tough. I miss her, I worry about her. We did not use an agency and her family is South African so she has to try and navigate all the logistics like residency and bank accounts and medical aid and travel cards. Thank the LAWD for my aunt and uncle who live in Holland and can help her. Unfortunately they don't live close by but close enough if it's a crises. She has done her varsity applications and Gary spent hours researching and helping her. She has also completed and submitted her entry tests so now we wait. It's either Maastricht or Leiden, both excellent universities.
Rebeka takes care of a little girl who has just turned 4 and a 22 month old toddler boy. It's hard work but the family is lovely. I think she has new respect for her Mom!
And I think that's pretty much it. My leave was very needed and appreciated. I am looking forward to going back on Monday as we employed a second social worker who was a friend from UNISA and I just know we will work well together. Work get's a whole post on it's own though. Now that's been one helluva ride!
